What Should I Do If My Dog Inhales Paint Fumes or Gets Paint on Them?

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What Should I Do If My Dog Inhales Paint Fumes or Gets Paint on Them?

In the previous guide [Which Spray Paint isn’t Toxic to Your Pets?], we have provided some tips on choosing the pet-safe wall painting materials to minimize the danger effects on them. However, if your pet is exposed to toxic paint, acting quickly and correctly can save their life.

These first-aid steps are meant to help stabilize your pet, but they are not a replacement for professional veterinary care.

What Are the First-Aid Steps for Paint Exposure?

Your first job is to get your pet away from the poison and stop them from absorbing more.

If They Breathed Fumes:

Get to Fresh Air: Immediately move your pet to an area with fresh, clean air, like outside.

Watch Their Breathing: Pay close attention to how they are breathing. Is it fast, slow, or difficult?

Keep Them Calm: Stress can make breathing problems worse. Keep your pet quiet while you call a vet.

If Paint Is on Their Skin or Fur:

Stop Them from Licking: Use a cone (e-collar) or a t-shirt to stop your pet from licking the paint off their fur.

Remove the Paint Safely: Use the right method to clean them. Using the wrong product can cause more harm. See the table below.

If They Licked or Ate Paint:

Rinse Their Mouth: Gently rinse your pet’s mouth with water.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT Make Them Vomit. Many paints are oil-based. If you make your pet vomit, they could inhale the oily paint into their lungs, which can cause a deadly condition called aspiration pneumonia. Only a vet should tell you to induce vomiting.

Save the Can: Keep the paint can. The information on it will help the vet or poison control hotline figure out the best treatment.

Using the wrong thing to clean paint off your pet can cause chemical burns. This table shows what is safe to use and what you should never use.

✔ SAFE Cleaning Methods

Vegetable, Olive, or Mineral Oil: Put a lot of oil on the paint. Let it sit for a few minutes to soften the paint, then gently work it out with your fingers or a comb.
Gentle Dish Soap (like Dawn): After using oil, wash the area with gentle dish soap and rinse well with warm water. This will remove the oil and any leftover paint.
Clipping the Fur: If the paint is dry, the safest option is to carefully trim the affected fur. If the paint is close to the skin, let a professional groomer or vet do it to avoid cutting your pet.
Water & Pet Shampoo (for Water-Based Paint): If you know the paint is water-based, you might be able to wash it off with pet-safe shampoo and water.

✖ DANGEROUS Methods to AVOID

Paint Thinner, Mineral Spirits, Turpentine: These are toxic solvents that will cause severe pain and chemical burns on your pet's skin.
Acetone / Nail Polish Remover: Acetone is a harmful solvent that can be absorbed through the skin and is dangerous if inhaled.
Scrubbing Hard: Scrubbing too hard can hurt your pet's skin and cause an infection.
Any Other Solvents: Never use household cleaners on your pet. They can be just as toxic as the paint.

Pet-Safe Spray Paint

That’s why understanding the potential dangers and choosing the right products is essential for every pet-loving household.

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Who Should I Call for Help?

After giving first aid, you must call a professional.

Call Your Vet or an Animal Poison Control Center:

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435

Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661

*Be aware that these hotlines usually charge a fee.

Have This Information Ready: When you call, be ready to provide these details:

Product Name: The exact brand of spray paint.

Pet’s Details: Your pet’s species, breed, age, and weight.

Exposure Details: How your pet was exposed (breathed, touched, ate), how much, and when it happened.

Symptoms: A clear description of any symptoms your pet is showing.

If you are ready to décor your home, but have some special conditions, like having pregnant women, having kids, or having pets around, and worry about what materials can be chosen, then contact SANVO. Our expert team will be here to offer help.

SANVO Expert Team

Articles published under the SANVO name are a collaborative effort, authored by our internal team of chemists, material scientists, and R&D engineers. We combine decades of hands-on experience in the chemical industry to deliver insights and solutions that matter. Our commitment is to share our deep knowledge to help our partners innovate and succeed.